Due to late order, some NC probation officers forced to share bulletproof vests

Posted June 7, 2018 6:56 p.m. EDT

Raleigh, N.C. — Probation officers in the Triangle are among those sharing a crucial item to make sure everyone stays safe.

Dozens of the state's bulletproof vests have expired and authorities said orders to replace them were not made in time, prompting the officers to pass them off between shifts.

"I was very concerned and very disappointed about this issue," said Tracy Lee, Director of Community Corrections.

Last week, state officials realized the protective bulletproof vests on around a hundred officers were expiring. They are only guaranteed by the manufacturer for five years.

Now, officers are sharing vests.

"It is one of a series of problems that has plagued the department of public safety," said John Midgette, with the North Carolina Police Benevolent Association. "We are hoping to resolve these problems, but they can't be resolved soon enough."

Lee says he wants to make sure it doesn't happen again.

"I'm not exactly sure how this happened, but we are conducting an internal review to get some answers," he said.

A review of how the order was delayed is underway.

Officials say the replacement vests are expected in Monday of next week.